Travel

This post was sponsored by Allianz Global Assistance. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As I sit down to write this post, it seems like most of the U.S. is experiencing blizzards, ice and altogether miserable winter weather. And what else is there to do when you are stuck inside on a super cold day? Start planning your next vacation! You’ll likely have so much fun planning where to go, how to get there, where to stay and what to do. But do you ever make a plan for travel safety? How to keep yourself, your belongings and your identity safe in the new places you’ll go? Here are my Top 10 Tips To Stay Safe When You Travel.

In big cities, you should know the areas which are safe and those which are dangerous for tourists.

Travel like a Local: When visiting any location, know your surroundings and plan your route in advance. Be aware of how the locals talk and dress and avoid actions that will make you “stand out” as a tourist.

Check out travel guides and reviews before you take any excursions, tours or adventures. You want to make sure that the vendor is reputable and that you will get what is promised, have a good experience and are safe.

Don’t post itineraries or locations on social media! Posting your itinerary or location on social media allows potential thieves to keep track of where you are, making it easier for them to time a crime – both where you are and at home! Wait and share all those vacation pictures when you get home.

Don’t leave your bags unattended. You’d think that would be obvious. But it’s amazing how many bags are stolen when you set them down just for a minute and aren’t looking (think the baggage claim at the airport). If you aren’t vigilant, you are a target for thieves who are very adept, fast and determined to steal your bag.

Only carry in your purse or wallet what you absolutely need. Take just the credit cards you’ll be using, your ID and cash for the day. If you must carry your passport, carry it close to your body.

Keep a record of important documents in a place other than your purse or wallet. If your wallet or important documents like your driver’s license, credit & debit cards, and medical insurance cards get stolen, this will help you know who to call and what to tell them.

Don’t show your valuables around. Walking around with your big, expensive camera around your neck, especially in an area where the value of that item is several times the local monthly income could be a problem. Put things of value that you must carry, like your technical devices in a daypack and only take them out when you need them.

Password protect your phone. Your phone stores sensitive information, such as access to your emails, and possibly even credit card information. If your phone is stolen, you don’t want thieves to be able to easily access it!

Get Travel Insurance. Depending on the company and policy you choose, travel insurance can provide:

Financial protection if your trip is canceled or interrupted for any reason.

Hotline assistance, which is especially helpful if you are in a country where you don’t speak the language.

Arranging Medical Evacuations.

Travel insurance policies, such as those offered by Allianz Global Assistance, are designed to cover you with financial safeguards in the case of events ranging from inconveniences to calamities. Coverage may include both costs incurred before your trip, such as nonrefundable event tickets or hotel stays, and during your trip, including travel interruptions and medical expenses.

You may think you don’t need it because you have certain safeguards with the airlines, cruise lines or travel agent you use. But maybe not.

For example, did you know that airlines aren’t obligated to do anything when your flights are delayed? When the airlines are the ones at fault, they may offer some assistance, but they’re not bound by law or duty to do so.

There are a number of similar misconceptions that travel insurance can guard against. Insurance comes packaged together with specific coverage benefits – the type and amount will range based on the provider and the package selected – that fill gaps where your travel plans may be exposed to a number of threats.

What kind of threats? Take lost baggage. Lost and damaged bags are the No. 2 complaint issued to the Department of Transportation. Additionally, while domestic airlines safely transport more than 99 percent of all luggage, international carriers still lag behind.

But a lost, damaged or even stolen luggage benefit is just one small benefit of most travel insurance offerings. Others may include:

Trip Interruption Protection. Sometimes trips start on time and end prematurely due to forces of nature and other circumstances beyond your control. This benefit includes reimbursement for unused costs and transportation costs to return home.

24-Hour Hotline Assistance. While this doesn’t come with a dollar amount, getting real-time help when you’re in a pickle is invaluable. Especially if you don’t speak the native tongue. This can include the arrangement of evacuations for medical emergencies, pre-trip assistance, etc.

Coverage for financial default.What if the tour operator for your upcoming family vacation stops answering your calls? And then the line is disconnected and the company is out of business. Travel insurance may be your most reliable means of financial recourse.

How to choose a Travel Insurance Plan

Among the first considerations to make when selecting a travel insurance plan is whether to pursue trip-specific or annual coverage. Frequent travelers and those with a big family or young kids may want to carefully consider the cost savings that an annual plan can provide. It’s not hard to do the math: when travelers add up the piecemeal cost of insurance for the trips they plan to take in the next year and compare it to the annual price tag, there will be a more attractive choice.

At Allianz Global Assistance, offerings range from the affordable and simple Essential Plan, which may work for the quick weekend getaway, to the Classic Plan with Trip +, which is designed for families traveling abroad who may experience any number of unforeseen challenges and inconveniences. Travelers can find the plan that’s right for them by visiting the Travel Insurance Plan Finder.

One final note about travel insurance that doesn’t come with fine print or footnotes – and that’s peace of mind. It’s a product you hope you never need to use but appreciate when you have it, similar to other insurance products. Once you weigh the importance of this peace of mind, as well as the other factors outlined here, you’ll be closer to being able to decide whether travel insurance is right for your next trip.

We just got back from our annual family beach vacation in Galveston, Texas. We always rent a home through VRBO and have a great time just being together. Over the years, our family has grown and changed with the addition of grandchildren. And every time we take a trip together, I learn something new!

12 Tips for a Super-Fun Family Beach Vacation

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. If you purchase a product through my link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I so appreciate every click-through and purchase! Every little bit helps to keep My Side of 50 up and running!

Choosing a House

Plan early to ensure you get a house that meets your needs in the location you want to be in. We reserved our house in January for an August vacation. We have always found stellar rentals on VRBO. But you have to do your research and read the fine print!

Think about the location you want:

Is it important to have an unobstructed view of the beach?

How far do you want to be from the beach?

Do you want to be able to drive your car on the beach? Make sure you are in a location that allows cars on the beach.

Will you be walking to the beach? Think about who is in your party and how far they can walk. Last year we rented a lovely home in a beach community that was advertised as “1/2 a block” from the beach. In truth, it was about 3 blocks from the bridge that crossed over to the beach. Not a bad walk for the adults in our party, but we had a 2-year-old with us. And since we thought it was a short walk, we did not bring a stroller or wagon for her. So getting to the beach was not convenient.

Is the home advertised as “across the street from the beach”? What street? A 2-lane road that is not busy OR a busy 5-lane highway that is very hard to cross safely on foot?

Read the fine print

2. Read the reviews. Make sure they are current – within the last year. If someone left a negative review and the owner has not responded with how that problem was fixed – beware.

3. Read what is included with the rental so that you can make your packing list. Are these items included?

Fully stocked kitchen with cooking and dining utensils

Beach towels

Bath towels

Bed linens

Grill

Cable TV & WiFi

It is not essential that the house is stocked with these items. But you do need to know what is included so that you know what you need to bring with you. Also, if TV and WiFi access is important, be sure and check to see if that is provided.

Plan Your Meals

We tend to go to the beach and eat all of our meals at the house. If this is what you will be doing:

4. Plan your meals ahead of time and buy your groceries before your come. Don’t forget things like PAM, foil, seasonings – things that you have at home and take for granted.

6. Is there a grocery store close by? Or do you have to drive for a while to get groceries? At our location, the closest store was 7 miles from the house. It had the few things we forgot, but at jacked up prices! The closest large grocery store was 30 miles away, so we sucked it up and paid the higher prices.

7. If you want to eat out, what restaurants are close by? Do they meet the dietary needs of your family?

11. Games. Card and board games are always good. This year’s games were Speak Out and Hedbanz. Speak Out says it is for kids 16 and up, but it was great to play as a family with our 9-year-old. Batteries were needed for Hedbanz, so we didn’t get to play that one. So…don’t forget the batteries if your game needs them!

12. Goody bags – I always make little goody bags for everyone at the start of our vacation. Just for fun. Most of these items were purchased at the Dollar Store. Here’s what they got this year:

A little bit of thought on what you need. A little bit of research about where you’re going. And a whole lot of love and gratitude for the time spent together. That’s all it takes for a super fun family vacation.

There are many, many options for accommodations, recreation, and dining in Galveston. We stay on the West End of the Island at Pointe West. Along with your rental, you can have access to their pool, lazy river and club for a small fee. The beach is private and kept very clean. There are no cars allowed on the beach in this location, so it’s very safe.

2016 –A lovely home with the same floor plan as our 2017 rental. It’s about a 3 block walk (although advertised as a ½ block walk) from the bridge that you walk over to go to the beach. Lovely, clean home that was perfect for our needs. But with a 3-year-old and a baby this year, we wanted something that was a shorter walk to the beach.

My Outer Banks Girls’ Trip started a little differently than many of the trips I take with my favorite travel buddies. Harriet & I tagged along with Cassie who was babysitting her precious grandson in Norfolk, VA for the week. He was a doll and didn’t deter us one bit from having a blast and laughing until we peed our pants (one of the “perks” of middle age)!

The Outer Banks of North Carolina (or OBX as the locals call it) are only about a 1 ½ hour drive from Norfolk. An easy day trip for Harriet & I. Here are the 5 fun things we experienced in this beautiful part of the country.

Our first stop was at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC. The memorial that honors these two brothers who experimented with flight in the early 1900’s and eventually succeeded is a National Park. It costs $7 per person to get in and your admission ticket is good for 5 days.

Although the actual museum is under renovation until Fall 2018, there is plenty to see on the grounds:

Reproductions of the Wright Brothers’ camp buildings

Replicas of their 1902 Glider and 1903 Flyer

The monument commemorating the Wright Brothers’ achievement at the top of Big Kill Devil Hill

History and aviation buffs will enjoy a trip to the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

The Outer Banks are known for their beautiful lighthouses. The one closest to Duck was the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. This gorgeous lighthouse made of red brick is 162 ft. tall and was first lit in 1875. Visitors can climb up the 214 winding steps to the top for panoramic views of Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Currituck Outer Banks.

Have you seen the great pictures of wild horses running together along the ocean’s shoreline? Seeing wild horses in action is the idea behind Wild Horse Adventure Tours and it was one of the main reasons we ventured to the Outer Banks.

Wild Horse Adventure Tours offer a 2-hour long tour along the beach and through the dunes of the Outer Banks in open air Hummers, designed to give you the best views of the OBX Wild Corolla Spanish Mustangs.

An experienced guide will drive you along the beautifully untouched beaches and through the dunes, where you will see these wild horses in their natural habitat.

Although it is rare to actually see the horses running along the beaches, they are gorgeous and majestic, no matter what they are doing.

We booked the day ahead, which is a good idea. There are a number of wild horse tours in the area. We saw some of them in lots of different vehicles – including the back of a pickup! That looked uncomfortable! Take the Wild Horse Adventure Tour and ride in the Hummer. A 2-hour ride in the dunes in an uncomfortable vehicle would make for a long afternoon….

We ended the day with a huge seafood dinner at Dirty Dick’s Crab House. We had seen signs for Dirty Dick’s along the highway all day and just had to see it for ourselves. Since I have a juvenile sense of humor, I couldn’t wait to post the drink napkin they gave me that said “I got my crabs at Dirty Dick’s” on Facebook.

Anyway – I had a seafood platter of delicious, fresh seafood and the most wonderful AUTHENTIC Key Lime Pie I had ever tasted. Dirty Dick’s is also open for breakfast and brunch. It was packed on a weeknight – a sure sign of good food and a great reputation!

If your travel plans take you anywhere near OBX, be sure to take in a few of these sights! We’re so glad that we did!

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. If you purchase a product through my link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I so appreciate every click-through and purchase! Every little bit helps to keep My Side of 50 up and running!

Why do people suffer from traveler’s constipation?

Safe toilet syndrome – not being able to relax enough to go in an unfamiliar bathroom.

Today, I am pleased to introduce Jess Brassington, a nationally certified holistic health coach who empowers her clients to take control of their health through food and lifestyle changes. Here, she shares her experiences with traveler’s constipation and how she “nips it in the bud” before she even starts a trip.

Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Take Control of Traveler’s Constipation and Make Traveling Comfortable Again

Are you ready for vacation and a little travel time? There is so much to do. Are you prepared? Finding your luggage. Picking out just the right outfits. Deciding on regular or travel size toiletries. Figuring out how many pairs of shoes you can bring.

But… did you remember to include your digestive health? I don’t know about you, but many times in my past travel efforts, I had a history of not being able to go the restroom ( at all ). It was so frustrating!

My husband and I decided to get away on a much-needed trip, alone! We chose the Bahamas. A place you don’t want to think about constipation and being miserable.

I knew we would be around many public restrooms and of course, my fear of pooping (yes, I said the *P* word) in public restrooms doesn’t ever help a situation where there is a problem already.

Who wants to be uncomfortable when you are planning a romantic getaway? Or a special trip with your family? Not me. I’d had enough of this problem! I decided I wouldn’t let this problem affect my travel plans and my much needed R&R. I made up my mind to be intentional about digestive health BEFORE I left for a trip.

This is what I do now to prepare for traveling away from home.

TRAVEL TIPS To Avoid Traveler’s Constipation

Take probiotics at least 2 weeks before you leave

I’m BIG on probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and great gut health in general. So many Americans suffer from symptoms stemming from an imbalance in their guts due to stress, processed foods, medications, etc. I take these daily but it’s especially important before a trip. You’ll be flying, exposed to a new area, foods, and germs. Support your immune system to keep it healthy and create a better environment to handle these changes and remain above the wellness line.

Do you experience traveler’s constipation or other tummy issues while traveling? If so, let me know! I want to help and bring more tips people need!

From Cathy – I love Jess’ idea of getting ahead of the issue by taking probiotics. But there are also some things you can do while traveling to help avoid traveler’s constipation.

Take a walk when you wake up. Exercise increases the motility of the GI tract.

Don’t sit for too long. If you are on a long flight, set a timer on your phone and take a walk every hour. If you are waiting in the airport – walk around. Don’t sit waiting for your next flight. Traveling by car? Schedule regular breaks to stop and get out of the car.

Don’t skimp on fiber. Most of us don’t think a lot about fiber when we’re traveling. We’re focused on decadent treats and enjoying regional favorites – at least that’s what I do! You can still do that, but be sure and include produce at every meal and have fruit for at least 1 or 2 snacks.

Drink lots of water. This will keep you from getting dehydrated and helps fiber more effective.

Do experience any kind of “digestive distress” when you travel? What are your tried and true methods to remedy those painful and inconvenient episodes?

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Tips to Avoid Traveler’s Constipation was last modified: August 12th, 2017 by Jessica Brassington

The week marks the end of the era where we frequently enjoyed dining at the Best Austin Restaurants. Why? Because our Austin kids, daughter Allison & son-in-law Mike, are MOVING BACK TO HOUSTON (that’s where we live) with my 3 month-old-grandson. We are so excited!

Allison & Mike moved to the Austin area 10 years ago when they left for college. They earned their degrees, started their careers, got married and had a baby. And all of that time we’ve made regular visits to see them that always included going out to great places to eat.

Austin is a town for foodies. It has every kind of restaurant you can imagine. It had food trucks way before food trucks were cool. Delicious Mexican food, spicy Thai food, food for vegans and those who only eat grass-fed, organic, antibiotic free, cage free, mountain roaming, fresh water swimming food, and the best Texas Barbeque. It’s all there.

Now, it’s not like we can never go to Austin again. It’s only a 2 ½ hour drive. But since our kids are “coming home”, we just won’t have the occasion to make as many trips. So as we say goodbye to frequent visits to this beautiful Central Texas city, here are 6 of my favorite Austin eateries. In no particular order….

The Peached Tortilla, like so many Austin restaurants, started as a food truck and is housed in a re-purposed building. It looks like it might have been an old Firestone Tire Store. Their menu is Southern comfort food with an Asian flair. How’s that for a mash-up?

We’ve eaten there for dinner and Sunday brunch. Both are outstanding and moderately priced.

Some of the things we love are:

Starters:

Charred Brussels – OMG – these will make a vegetable eater out of anybody. Brussels Sprouts charred and cooked with bacon jam, parmesan, and lemon oil.

BBQ Pork Buns – We split an order of these delightful buns stuffed with Vietnamese braised pork belly, green onions, cucumber and Chinese BBQ sauce. But I could eat a whole order of these for my entrée.

Foreign & Domestic has a neighborhood vibe with a fine dining menu. Housed in part of an old strip center, this restaurant is ultra casual and only seats 47 people. Reservations are a must. They are famous for their Gruyere & Black Pepper Popovers, which were featured by Guy Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. You have to try these as your appetizer!

The menu changes a bit, depending on what is in season. When we go for dinner, someone in the family usually orders one of their seafood dishes. The last time we went, I had a beautifully prepared Branzini. The Roasted Wagyu Beef Culotte with Diane Sauce is melt in your mouth delicious! And my husband frequently enjoys their burger with aged cheddar, green tomato jam, and pickled onion. Top it with a fried egg and you’ll be full for a week!

This is the place to get the best breakfast and lunch sandwiches in Austin. These are hand-crafted sandwiches made with bread and pickles that are made fresh on the premises. The ingredients are high quality and include locally sourced and sustainable items. All this adds up to some yummy, gourmet sandwiches.

One of my favorites is the Thai Chicken with jalapeno cabbage slaw and cilantro.

My lunch selection on the day we ate at Chi’Lantro was a noodle bowl made with their famous sweet potato noodles, spicy chicken, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, cilantro, guacamole and topped with Chi’Lantro Magic Sauce! YUM!

Gourdough’s is housed in an Airstream and parked in a food truck park. At Gourdough’s they make HUGE, hot, fresh, made to order doughnuts. I swear, you have never had anything like this. And these aren’t any doughnuts. They come in the most interesting combinations with names you will not soon forget:

Have you ever taken a multigenerational family vacation? I remember taking them with my parents and kids when our girls were growing up.

And we continue that tradition by planning and annual vacation with our now adult daughters and their families!

I LOVE these vacations together. It gives us time to spend with our daughter who doesn’t live in the same city as the rest of us. It’s a fun time for cousins to play together. And it’s just nice to go someplace away from home and share new experiences.

But traveling with several generations does require some special consideration and planning. Following these 5 tips will ensure that EVERYONE in your family has a great time AND wants to do it again!

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. If you purchase a product through my link, I may receive a small commission. I so appreciate every click-through and purchase! Every little bit helps to keep My Side of 50 up and running!

5 Tips for the Best Multigenerational Family Vacation

Family Vacation Tip #1 – Plan your dates FAR in advance.

When you are planning with several generations, figuring out a time when EVERYONE is available to go can be tricky. For example, my husband has been working for 40 years. He has more vacation time than he ever takes and can take his days just about any time he wants to.

Our kids, on the other hand, are just starting their careers. They are the “low-man on the totem pole” in their companies and are limited in the NUMBER of days they can take off and WHEN they can take off. So planning early enough for “the kids” to make arrangements is essential.

And as our grandkids get older and get involved in school and extra-curricular activities, there will be even more things to work around when scheduling.

Family Vacation Tip #2 – Have a “budget” conversation WELL BEFORE the trip.

Who is paying for what? For example, we rent a beach house every year and my husband and I foot the bill for that expense. However, in a few years, we will be on a fixed income and may not be able to do that.

What is each family’s travel budget? This will determine how far you can go away from home and what kind of accommodations you choose.

If you will be dividing up expenses, appoint one person to be in charge of this.

Family Vacation Tip #3 – Pick a place to stay that has SPACE.

The place you choose doesn’t have to be HUGE or especially glamorous. But it should allow for:

A place where everyone can get a good night’s sleep. Nothing is worse than a bunch of cranky kids, or worse yet, cranky adults because there isn’t a comfortable, quiet place to sleep at night. Don’t scrimp on this by piling 8 people into a hotel room!

A place where kids can play and be kids. A playground, pool or just open space for them to run around. A 5-star golf resort probably won’t allow many places for kids to be kids.

A place for some downtime for each family. You will have lots of togetherness on your trip. You will look forward to that time together. But there needs to be some time every day for each family to have a little time to themselves. Believe me, you’ll enjoy your extended family time more if you allow for this!

Family Vacation Tip #4 – Plenty of OPTIONS for activities

When you have several generations together, it is important to allow for different ages, energy levels, and interests. You may have 1 or 2 things that EVERYONE will want to do together. Otherwise, have your other activities be optional so that each family can choose what is best for them on a particular day.

Family Vacation Tip #5 – Divide up the work

Make no mistake – just because this is a vacation doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of work involved. Making the travel plans, getting places on time, keeping up with kids, meals, toys, suitcases, nap times, snacks….it’s a LOT of work.

So try to anticipate the things that will need to be done and divide up these responsibilities ahead of time.

Some of these tasks might include:

Meals – if you are at a place where you are cooking your own meals, how will that chore be divided up?

If you are dining out, appoint someone to research restaurant options.

Do the adults want a night out? Who will watch the kids? (Don’t always ASSUME grandma & grandpa want to do this).

Who will drive and keep gas in the car?

Someone to be in charge of the schedule and figuring out what time you need to leave to get places on time.

We have so many great memories of our multigenerational family vacations together. In fact, our 8-year-old grandson spends time on each of our vacations planning the next one! With a little forethought, planning, and communication, you can have a wonderful time making great memories together!

It is with fond memories that I wrap up my Alaskan Cruise series and tell you about our last port of call: Victoria, BC. Our last shore excursion was a visit to the world-renowned Butchart Gardens. Can I be honest here? We booked the Alaskan cruise to get out of the Texas summer heat and to see mountains and glaciers and bears and whales and by day seven of the cruise, we had seen what we came to see.

To make the tour, we’d have to get on a bus at 6:00 in the evening for a 45-minute ride to the Gardens. After the tour, we would get back to the ship about 11:00, just in time to grab a few hours sleep before we had to disembark at 7 am and prepare for a long day getting home.

I had seen gardens before. My hometown of Houston has great gardens. I had visited gardens in many other cities. Did I really need to see one more garden? I was ready to just relax on the ship, have a cocktail, a nice dinner and then turn in early.

But since the excursion was already PAID FOR, I decided to go. And I am SO GLAD I did. You see, Butchart Gardens are truly special and are like nothing I have ever seen! Here are the 5 Best Reasons To Visit Beautiful Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC.

5 Best Reasons To Visit Beautiful Butchart Gardens

Visit Butchart Gardens For Its History

The motor coach that took us from the ship to Butchart Gardens came with the most wonderful tour guide. In addition to showing us the sites around GORGEOUS Victoria (note: must come back here when I have more time), he told us why Butchart Gardens, established in 1904, was a Canadian national treasure and a designated National Historic Site of Canada.

Butchart Gardens were the creation of Jennie Butchart, who had the vision of beautifying an old limestone quarry that was part of her husband Robert’s cement plant. When you see pictures of what the gardens USED to be, you quickly realize that Jennie Butchart was an extraordinary visionary.

Visit Butchart Gardens Because All The Cool Kids Are Going

If you are a person who has to see and be seen where EVERYBODY IS GOING, Butchart Gardens is the place for you. It is visited by over million visitors annually.

At Butchart Gardens, You Get To See 7 Gardens in 1!

The gardens are a skillful mixture of rare and exotic shrubs, trees and flowers, many of which were collected by the Butcharts during their world travels. Over the years, the 55 -acre Butchart Gardens have continually expanded to become 7 different gardens with plants from countries around the world.

Sunken Garden

Rose Garden

Japanese Garden

Star Pond

Italian Garden

Piazza

Mediterranean Garden

Visit Butchart Gardens to enjoy all the plants, flowers and so much more!

Way to state the obvious, duh? Like I said before, I thought going to Butchart Gardens would be like visiting any other garden. It’s not. Spend time here walking along the paths of perennials, trees, and shrubs. See ponds, fountains, Quarry Lake and the Rose Carousel. There are so many varieties of plants, trees, flowers and shrubs, you will see many that you have never seen before.

Visit Butchart Gardens for the Seed and Gift Store

More than just an afterthought, as are so many tourist attraction gift shops, this expansive gift shop features hand packaged seeds, souvenirs and handmade gifts from local artisans.

Other things to know about Butchart Gardens

While strolling through the Gardens, there are a number of places that require walking up and down stairs. If stairs are an obstacle, there are routes you can take to avoid stairs and still see the gardens. These routes are well-marked.
Butchart Gardens has 3 restaurants. The Dining Room Restaurant for Tea and Fine Dining. The Blue Poppy Restaurant, a moderately priced cafeteria. The Coffee Shop with sandwiches, pastries, ice-cream and coffee.
Hours for all three vary by season. Since we were visiting in the evening, we planned to have dinner at the Gardens. By the time we were ready to eat, the Coffee Shop was the only restaurant that was open. Keep this in mind when you visit. Check to see when the restaurants are open and plan accordingly.

I’m so glad that we spent the evening visiting Butchart Gardens on the last night of our Alaskan Cruise. Having the time to enjoy such a peaceful environment filled with beauty was the perfect way to end our vacation.

Fixer Upper, Chip & Joanna Gaines, Magnolia Market. My daughter and son-in-law are huge fans. They’ve watched every episode. So many of my Facebook friends have posted countless pictures in front of a sign that said Magnolia. Captions like “We’re here!” and “ We made it!” made me wonder where the heck this place was that was so popular. So on a recent trip to Central Texas, I decided to find out for myself. What is this Magnolia Market and what is the appeal?

So off I went on my pilgrimage to Waco, Texas. I must admit – I was excited to visit the mecca of all things home décor with Joanna Gaines sense of flair and style. I was not disappointed. You see, Magnolia Market is not just a store. The Gaines’ have made this into a Central Texas Destination.

5 Most Popular Things To Do At Magnolia Market

#1 – SEE THE SILOS At Magnolia Market

This is the landmark you can see from the highway to let you know that you’re at Magnolia Market. Something city kids don’t see very often!

#2 – VISIT THE GARDEN at Magnolia Market

Filled with seasonal produce, flowers, fairy gardens and a teepee, the garden is the perfect place to explore and relax.

It sits outside the garden shop – Magnolia Seed and Supply. I must say, this small shop filled with gardening supplies and plant themed items was my favorite. It was beautifully laid out with lots of treasures.

#3 – PLAY OUTSIDE at Magnolia Market

You can tell that the Gaines’ have a heart for family and have made their little section of Waco a place where “kids” of all ages are welcome. There is a big green lawn where kids can run, throw a ball around or play cornhole.

And then there are the swings….

#4 – EAT at Magnolia Market

Magnolia Market has a food truck court surrounded by a fresh, clean picnic area with covered picnic tables. Among the offerings are gourmet grilled cheeses, pizza, barbeque, crepes, coffee & a juice bar.

And don’t forget the Silos Baking Company. Magnolia’s own little bake shop has the most delicious breakfast pastries and cupcakes. My favorite was the Lemon Lavender followed closely by this yummy chocolate creation call “Silobration”.

#5 – SHOP at Magnolia Market

This is what you’ve been waiting for – right? The actual Magnolia Market is a spacious retail space with an industrial vibe and tasteful displays. I loved that it was not cram packed with items in every nook & cranny. You could actually move around and look at things – but we were there on one of the few days it wasn’t crowded.

When you walk in the market, you are greeted by a friendly employee who will give you a shopping bag. Stroll from table to table. Take pictures (it’s encouraged).

There are all kinds of things to look at. Some are items you could find at other stores for less money – candles, silk flowers, cookbooks, wall hangings. When you are buying here, you are paying for the Magnolia name. But it IS nice stuff.

Here is a pretty kitchen display.

Some of the items are really unique. I just LOVED this section of beautiful, high quality wrapping paper.

And this old-timey bell.

Even if it’s crowded, there are plenty of check out stations, so the line moves quickly.

We had a lovely time at Magnolia Market. It’s a great place for a girl’s trip, for Chip & Joanna Gaines wanna-bes and families. If you go – make a day of it.

One of the most highly-recommended and eagerly anticipated shore excursions on our Alaskan cruise was the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour. Beginning in Skagaway, there are several different types of tours that you can take along this scenic line that was built in 1898 as transportation for tens of thousands of men and women on the hunt for gold in the Canadian Klondike.

The tour begins with a train ride in old-fashioned parlor cars that take you up 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass. At Fraser, BC, you transfer into a deluxe motor coach and travel along the historic trail of ’98 to the White Pass summit and into the Yukon.

One of the highlights of the tour is a stop at the Yukon Suspension Bridge that rises 57 feet above the Tutshi River Canyon and is 200 feet across. I was only expecting a quick stop and walk across the bridge, but there is so much more at the bridge to see.

There is a restaurant where we were treated to a bowl of bison chili as part of our tour (nothing to write home about). If you don’t like the chili, there are hamburgers and sandwiches you can order, but it is very expensive. I recommend packing a snack.

The walk across the bridge was fun and the views of the Tutshi River and mountains were breathtaking. I am usually afraid of heights, but the walk across this bridge was exhilarating and breathtaking. It was totally secure and fenced in – nothing to be afraid of. I loved looking down at the rapids of the river and the scenic mountains in the distance.

This attraction also includes large, detailed, 3-D exhibits with information on:

The trails, geology, glaciers and traditional life of the area from Skagaway to Whitehorse.

Human History including First Nations and stories of the gold rush.

The natural history of the area and how High Country nature at 3,000 feet above sea level varies from the coastal environment at Skagway.

A walking trail that leads to an authentic trapper’s cabin.

There are beautiful flowers throughout the area, most of which is wheelchair accessible. There ARE parts that ARE NOT wheelchair accessible, but beautiful views can be enjoyed at every part of this great attraction.

After our time at the Yukon Suspension Bridge, we took our deluxe motor coach back down the highway to Skagaway. We had a wonderful tour guide, many scenic views and time to stop for more photos.

This tour was one of the highlights of our trip! I highly recommend it!

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The second port on our Alaskan Cruise was Juneau, Alaska and we opted for a do-it-yourself shore excursion instead of one booked through the cruise line. The weather was clear, warm and sunny, making it the perfect day to take the Mt. Roberts Tramway up 1800 feet to the top of Mt. Roberts.

Tickets and entrance to the Tramway are a short distance through the shopping district near the port. It’s an easy walk. We boarded the gondola at the base of the mountain and had a smooth, 5-minute ride up 1800 feet to the top of Mt. Roberts. The views of the Gastineau Channel and surrounding areas were stunning.

When you get to the top of Mt. Roberts, there is much to see and do for the whole family. All facilities and hiking trails are ADA accessible.

Stop at the Nature Center (more like a gift shop with all types of books and gifts related to Alaska’s natural habitat) and pick up your hiking guide.

Take a hike! The hiking trails are beautifully maintained with scenic overlooks at many points along the way.

It was dinner time when we came down from Mt. Roberts and we were determined to have some King Crab Legs while we were in Alaska. About ½ a block from the Tramway on the waterfront is Twisted Fish Company Alaskan Grill. Our party enjoyed the DELICIOUS King Crab Legs, but there are plenty of options – all kinds of seafood, steaks, burgers, pizza and other casual fare. It was the perfect ending to our do-it-yourself shore excursion in Juneau!

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